Trans-Pacific tele-ultrasound image transmission of fetal central nervous system structures

Objective: To assess the quality of images and video clips of fetal central nervous (CNS) structures obtained by ultrasound and transmitted via tele-ultrasound from Brazil to Australia.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 15 normal singleton pregnant women between 20 and 26 weeks were selected. Fetal CNS structures were obtained by images and video clips. The exams were transmitted in real-time using a broadband internet and an inexpensive video streaming device. Four blinded examiners evaluated the quality of the exams using the Likert scale. We calculated the mean, standard deviation, mean difference, and p values were obtained from paired t tests.

Results: The quality of the original video clips was slightly better than that observed by the transmitted video clips; mean difference considering all observers = 0.23 points. In 47/60 comparisons (78.3%; 95% CI?=?66.4–86.9%) the quality of the video clips were judged to be the same. In 182/240 still images (75.8%; 95% CI?=?70.0–80.8%) the scores of transmitted image were considered the same as the original.

Conclusion: We demonstrated that long distance tele-ultrasound transmission of fetal CNS structures using an inexpensive video streaming device provided images of subjective good quality.     

5G远程超声机器人系统在新型冠状病毒肺炎隔离患者中的临床应用

目的探讨5G远程超声机器人系统在新型冠状病毒肺炎隔离患者中的临床应用价值。 方法选取2020年1月20日至3月1日因确诊或疑似新型冠状病毒肺炎收治在金华市中心医院隔离病房的患者30例。采用5G远程超声机器人系统进行远程超声（远程操作组）及常规超声检查（床旁操作组）,对比分析2组检查时间及诊断结果;2组患者留存的超声图像质量由另一位高年资医师进行评分。采用t检验对比2组患者检查时间及图像评分的差异性;采用Kappa检验分析2组诊断结果的一致性,采用χ²检验比较诊断准确率的差异。 结果2种检查方式共检出32例阳性结果,消化系统疾病21例;泌尿系统疾病9例;呼吸系统2例。远程操作组和床旁操作组诊断准确率及图像质量评分比较[86.67% vs 93.94%;（4.39±0.30）分vs （4.45±0.33）分],差异无统计学意义（χ²=0.052,P=0.173;t=-1.614,P=0.108）。2组检查结果之间有较好的一致性（Kappa=0.861,P<0.001）。远程操作组检查时间较床旁操作组长[（25.91±4.80）min vs （11.29±2.27）min],差异具有统计学意义（t=19.537,P<0.001）。 结论虽然5G远程超声机器人系统检查时间较长,但图像质量及诊断结果与常规超声检查相仿,在新型冠状病毒肺炎隔离患者的病情评估及诊断中能部分替代常规超声检查。     

Introduction of a Maternal-Fetal Medicine Tele-Ultrasound Program in Rural Alberta

ObjectivesWe established a program of Maternal-Fetal Medicine (MFM) telemedicine that is safe and acceptable. Since December 2019, a multi-disciplinary team has been planning this quality improvement project.MethodsWe performed a pilot study to investigate the feasibility of using telemedicine and tele-ultrasound to enable prompt MFM consultations for patients in remote locations. We began with the training of sonographers followed by implementation in a small pilot. Interim analysis of the acceptability and feasibility of the program was done through patient surveys, images audit, and review of neonatal outcomes.ResultsOur background epidemiologic data showed that in Alberta, between 2017 and 2022, 460 patients travelled >6 hours, and 5038 travelled >2 hours from home to reach their site of birth. Patients were appropriately triaged to delivery/consultation at the tertiary level center based on diagnosis/suspicion of anomalies, such as abnormally invasive placenta, intrauterine growth restriction, hydrops, and partial agenesis of the corpus callosum, all of which were confirmed postdelivery. There was no neonatal mortality, and the single stillbirth was related to an unpreventable peri-viable co-twin demise. The patient survey demonstrated that for >85% of respondents the program reduced costs and stress. Ultrasound image audit found improvement and consistency in image quality after 3 months of training combined with supervision.ConclusionMFM telemedicine is feasible and can be safe with adequate supervision. Additional support and resources are needed to scale and spread this quality improvement initiative.